Photo: Doug Kerr · CC BY-SA 2.0FEMA puts Brandon’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 65% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brandon gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #38 of 71 in Vermont. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 13 claims here since 1984.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What stands out about Brandon’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Brandon faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Brandon’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Brandon, and Brandon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts.
B #38 of 71 in Vermont; lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Brandon’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Vermont town has lower expected damage than 66% of U.S. towns; within the state, Brandon has more expected damage per building than 53% of Vermont towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Brandon: $957K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Brandon flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Brandon, from FEMA’s records: 6.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene10 claims · $379K
Brandon isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Rutland County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Brandon
Disasters that paid out in Brandon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Brandon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides16 households applied for aid$42K aid approved$208K to the Town of Brandon for repairs
- 2017Severe Storms and Flooding$395K to the Town of Brandon for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2013Severe Storms and Flooding$14K to the Town of Brandon for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene70 households applied for aid$75K aid approved$725K to the Town of Brandon for repairs10 flood claims paid for it, $379K
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$17K to the Town of Brandon for repairs
- 2001Snow$5K to the Town of Brandon for repairs
Rutland County has had 19 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods.
Old photos of Brandon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Brandon archive →Brandon and its neighbors
Brandon is 3rd of the 4 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leicester | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Pittsford | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Brandon | Bless damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Chittenden | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Goshen | — | 142 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Sudbury | — | 679 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Brandon faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Brandon
Is Brandon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brandon has lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #38 of 71 in Vermont. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Brandon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Brandon since 1984, $433K in all, or 6.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (10).
Is Brandon in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Rutland County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Brandon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Brandon’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Brandon?
By FEMA money that reached Brandon, Tropical Storm Irene (2011): 70 households applied for aid, $75K approved, and $725K to the Town of Brandon for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 10 paid, $379K.
Is Brandon at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Brandon’s rate for it is higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Brandon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Brandon’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.